Jain Journal 2006 10 No 04

SR No.: 520264
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2006
Total Pages: 36
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 19

A. K. Bhattacharyya: Studies In Jaina Iconography
figure in a circle made up of the different aspects of the deity. The conception of Surya as a form of Visnu is, to some extent, responsible for the linear form in which the Sun-God is represented as we find here94. The idea of a mandala almost spontaneously suggests the idea of the circle. The place of the entire group of Nine Planets in Jain pantheom as the presiding deities of the different directions calls for a more developed iconography". The Moon as an object of Trisala's dream is as white as the cow-milk and was the wandering landinark of the celestial sphere-beloved in heart and soul by Rohini (Rohinimana-hiyaya-vallaham). The Sun too, in this connection has a large and radiant form, the dorner of the louts group', 'the lamp of the firmament', who is called' the illustrious leader of the troop of planets" (gaha-ganoru-nayagam). As an object of the auspicious dream, the Sun is to signify the spiritedness of the coming child i.e., the Tirthankara (tejasvi Phāsvato).
The next symbol to be seen in the dream is a flag. The peculiar feature of the flag is that the face of a lion is to be marked on the flag which will be kept flapping". The flag is the symbol for victory. The excellent figure of the flag which is noticed on Pl. XLIV fig. 163 and Pl. XLV, fig. 164 of Jaina citra kalpadruma (ed by S.M. Nawab) really speaks for the developed art which Gujarat had produced in the 15th-16th Cents. A.D. According to Kalpasūtra the flag is to be shown as 'fastened to a golden staff with a tuff of many soft and waving peacock's feathers of blue, red, yellow, and white colours! There is to be a brilliant lion on its top' appearing extremely white. The Digambara tradition, however, substitutes the Great Flag (mahādhvaja) with a pair of fish which they take to signify a person attended with all happiness (matsyayugalena sukhākhilaḥ)9.
94. Cf. Dhyeyaḥ sada savitr-mandala-madhyavarti Nārāyaṇaḥ.
95.
Vide, the chapter on Jain Navagraha.
96.
Uttara Purana. parva. 73, p. 572.
97. Vide, the description on p. 153, Citravivaraṇa, Jaina Citrakalpadruma
(Ed. by S. M. Nawab).
98. Ibid, loc. cit.
50.
Uttara Purāṇa, loc. cit.